Of course, Xu Yang was able to achieve this level. If a fire-type soul master with similar qualities were to absorb this thousand-year Slime soul ring, it would not be easy at all; they might even risk damaging their foundation.
This Slime had lived in the Sea of Sunflowers, thriving under the influence of high concentrations of solar power for many years. Its body was already infused with terrifying solar energy, making its soul power as violent as that of a two-thousand to three-thousand-year-old soul beast.
However, Xu Yang's martial soul was the sun itself, serving as a vessel for solar power and giving him strong resistance to it. The rootless soul power of the Slime would merely become nourishment for the evolution of his Sun Martial Soul.
Ning Haiyan, observing that Xu Yang only frowned briefly before relaxing, felt no concern at all. He knew Xu Yang's body strength well; it had been recognized by Elder Guyong. For Xu Yang, this level was merely a slightly higher threshold and wouldn't cause any major issues.
Two hours later, Xu Yang emerged from the absorption of the soul ring. Under Ning Haiyan's protection, no soul beasts had disturbed him during this time.
"How was it?! What soul skill did you gain?!" Ning Haiyan eagerly asked as soon as Xu Yang woke up.
"As expected, it's the Splitting skill!"
A smile spread across Xu Yang's face as he waved his hand. The sun above his head split into three new suns, totaling four that floated above him.
With a gentle motion of his right hand, one of the suns descended into his palm. He aimed it at a nearby giant tree and with a whoosh, that sun left a large hole in the trunk. Before Ning Haiyan could react, the entire tree turned to ash and scattered in the wind.
"This…" Ning Haiyan was stunned by Xu Yang's display.
While he knew that the Sun Martial Soul possessed flames equal to his own, he hadn't anticipated such immense power. That tree was so large that five people couldn't wrap their arms around it and had been exposed to solar energy for years—its trunk was as hard as iron. Even a Soul Respect wouldn't be able to cut it down in one strike, yet Xu Yang managed to reduce it to ash with a single blow. This demonstrated the formidable power of the Sun Martial Soul's flames.
"And that's not all; this is just the simplest application. I can also…"
Whoosh!
As he spoke, Xu Yang waved his right hand again.
The suns still hovering in the air began spewing flames in all directions. Wherever the fire snakes passed, everything turned to ash, leaving Ning Haiyan dumbfounded.
"Unfortunately, my ability to perfectly control these sub-soul martial souls is limited by my current level of concentration control. Right now, I've only reached the Four-Point Steady Heart stage and can only control four martial souls. Additionally, I can't make these sub-souls self-destruct yet; otherwise, their power would be even greater.
However, I've already considered this—I plan to choose the Explosive Flame Tree as my fourth soul ring. Once I obtain an explosive soul skill, I should be able to control these sub-soul martial souls to explode continuously. Just imagining that scene excites me! Dozens of suns falling from the sky like meteors—everything they touch turns to ashes!"
What more could one wish for? Aiming for the heavens?
Xu Yang's boastful words nearly made Ning Haiyan burst out in anger; however, he understood why their sect leader agreed to let Xu Yang hunt Slimes—this soul beast's skills were simply perfect for matching with the Sun Martial Soul!
Now it seemed that this soul skill had a high ceiling; it could likely be utilized even at Title Douluo level.
After completing their hunt for souls, both left the Sunset Forest.
...
A few days later, at both Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City's Seven Treasure Auction House, an auction was simultaneously taking place.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Next up for auction is ten-thousand-year Whale Gel… You must be wondering why this enhancement drug is being featured as our grand finale item here at Seven Treasure Auction House?!" The host looked down at the audience with a smile.
"Indeed! Ten-thousand-year Whale Gel can only be considered a decent enhancement drug; as soul masters, we don't need such things!"
"What qualifications does Whale Gel have to be our final item?!"
"Exactly! If Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can't prepare a grand finale item, they shouldn't hold an auction!"
"…"
In an instant, voices rose from below; even members of royalty and top nobles in private boxes frowned. Although they didn't voice their thoughts aloud, their dissatisfaction was palpable.
Due to their martial souls' characteristics enabling them to identify treasures accurately, each Seven Treasure Auction House drew numerous nobles, royal family members, and elite soul masters seeking rare items.
But now they presented a piece of ten-thousand-year Whale Gel?
"I'm sure everyone knows that two years ago our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School suddenly purchased large quantities of Whale Gel—almost sweeping up all available supplies across the continent—and rumors spread about our sect leader having health issues."
"But that's not what you think! It's because our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School discovered other uses for Whale Gel through our sect's physicians' research. Enhancement is merely an additional effect; its true purpose is to improve physical quality and thus increase a soul master's limit on absorbing soul rings."
Before he could finish speaking, silence fell over the entire auction house—a complete lack of echo or response.
"Host! You say Whale Gel can enhance a soul master's capacity to absorb soul rings?!"
A middle-aged man stood up from among the seats below and asked incredulously.
"Exactly! According to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's physicians' research: Hundred-year Whale Gel can enhance physical endurance by 10-50 years; Thousand-year Whale Gel can enhance endurance by 100-500 years; while Ten-thousand-year Whale Gel can enhance endurance by 1000-5000 years! Of course, this enhancement isn't limitless—for instance—soul warriors can absorb up to Thousand-year Whale Gel but cannot withstand Ten-thousand-year Whale Gel's potency without reaching Soul Respect level." The host nodded with a smile while gradually revealing their findings about Whale Gel.
"Then how will you prove your claims are true? Who can know if you're just making this up to inflate prices?!"
"Exactly! Exactly! How will you prove it?!"
As soon as the middle-aged man spoke up—others quickly chimed in support. They simply couldn't believe that something they usually dismissed could possess such effects. Most importantly—if what this host said were true—the landscape for soul masters across the continent would change drastically.
Being able to absorb higher-level soul rings would mean that talented individuals from various factions would have more stable foundations and faster cultivation speeds—leading them toward becoming more Title Douluo-level beings. In that case, Whale Gel would become highly sought-after resources among major powers!
"Of course we can prove it! Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has studied Whale Gel for two years and has naturally made some gains!"
*Clap! Clap!*
After saying this—the host clapped his hands; immediately four young boys walked up from behind the stage—varying in age from ten years old at minimum to twenty years old at maximum—standing beside the Whale Gel on display.
(End of Chapter)